NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 09: Serena Williams performs during the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation)
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation
Don’t call it a comeback.
She’s been here for years.
Serena Williams, 44, will reportedly return to the tennis court in doubles with partner Victoria Mboko at Queens Club, which runs June 8-14 in London. Mboko is the No. 9-ranked woman in the world in singles.
It’s possible that if things go well for Williams in doubles, she could opt to ask for a wildcard into the Wimbledon singles draw. She won Wimbledon seven times, most recently in 2016, and lost in the final in both 2018 and 2019.
Williams, considered by many the GOAT of women’s tennis, was listed by the sport’s drug testing organization as eligible to return to competition on Feb. 22.
That came six months after the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion initially registered with the International Tennis Integrity Agency.
In December, when rumors first began that Williams might return, she posted on X/Twitter: “Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”
Still, by reentering the testing pool, she gave herself the opportunity to compete in 2026 – in doubles and/or singles – should she choose.
In January, Williams appeared on “The Today Show” and was asked again about a possible comeback.
“I don’t know,” Williams said. “I’m just gonna see what happens.”
“That’s not a maybe,” she added. “I have two kids, I’m a full-time stay-at-home…When I filled out a form the other day [for] occupation…housewife.”
Williams has two daughters, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. and Adira River Ohanian, with her husband Alexis Ohanian.
Williams’ net worth as of June 3 was $350 million, per Forbes.
In July, video was posted to social media of Serena hitting balls on a hard court – and her older sister Venus, who returned to the WTA Tour in July after a 16-month absence, said:
“I mean, I keep saying to my team, ‘The only thing that would make this better is if she was here,’ like we always did everything together, so of course I miss her.
“But if she comes back, I’m sure she’ll let y’all know.”